Nigeria expresses thanks to Indonesia
Nigeria expresses thanks to Indonesia
JAKARTA (JP): Nigeria has sent a special envoy to deliver a
sealed message to President Soeharto to express gratitude for
Indonesia not condemning Lagos over alleged human rights
violations.
Meeting yesterday with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ali Alatas, special envoy Mohammadu Gambo Jimeta praised Jakarta
for upholding the principle of non-interference and said he was
here to thank Jakarta for its unfailing support.
"We haven't come to seek it (support), but to thank Indonesia
for their support and understanding," said Jimeta, who holds the
post of Minister of Agriculture.
"I was able to express Nigerian gratitude for the continuous
support of Indonesia and look forward to greater cooperation in
our international relationships and in our bilateral
relationship," he said
Indonesia was one of 42 countries who abstained from voting
for a United Nations resolution condemning Lagos for executing
nine human rights activities in November. The resolution still
passed by an overwhelming 98 votes for and just 12 votes against.
The November execution of rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa
brought the ire of the international community and led to the
suspension of Nigeria's membership to the Commonwealth group of
nations membership.
Jimeta called the allegations an "international conspiracy
against Nigeria" which was primarily aimed at intervening in
domestic affairs.
Because it is a voluntary organization, he maintained that the
Commonwealth has no right to meddle in such matters and that
attempts to do smack of colonialism.
"We never thought the Commonwealth would be a forum to tell us
what to do in our countries, otherwise we should have still been
under colonial country, if that is the case," he said.
Jimeta arrived on Thursday for a four day visit. He is
scheduled to meet with President Soeharto this morning.
"I have a special message for him from his brother the head of
state and commander in chief of Nigeria," he said
When asked what the contents of the special message to the
president are, Jimenta said he did not know because the letter is
sealed. (mds)